Piano key balance



May 23, 1950 A. H. HOWE PIANO KEY BALANCE Original Filed Oct. 27, 1945-E WLH Patented May 23,- 1950 PIANO KEY BALANCE Alfred H. Howe, NewYork, N. Y.

Original application October 27, 1945, Serial No. 624,959. Divided andthis application May 21, 1949, Serial No. 94,547

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a piano key balance or mounting.

The present invention is a division of the sub- Ject matter disclosed inmy United States Patent No. 2,482,619 granted to me September 20, 1949.

Among the objects and advantages of the pres ent invention are thefollowing: It enables piano keys to be conveniently and easily mountedand leveled. The keys are kept from wabbling. A minimum of material isremoved from the keys to accommodate the balancing device, therebyassuring strong keys, aside from reinforcement of the keys provided byvirtue of novel features of the invention. Wear on the parts is reducedto a minimum thereby assuring usefulness of the keys for a long time.

The nature of the invention and its distinguishing features andadvantages will appear when the following specification is read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a sideelevational View of a piano key mounted or balanced in accordance withthe present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section and partly inelevation showing certain parts of the key balance.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be apparentthere is shown a frame Ill having a center key rail II. A key [2 ismounted on the rail in accordance with the present invention as follows.

Use is made of a triangular plate I 3 formed of sheet metal, preferablystainless steel. A stud or pin l4 projects downwardly from the plate atthe base. A steel ball 15 is secured to the plate 13 at the apexthereof. The plate IS with its pin l4 and ball I5 constitutes a fulcrumfor the key l2. The pin M has a force fit in a hole extending in theframe In and the rail II. The plate I3 extends vertically upward incontact with the rail II. The broad fiat sides of the plate are disposedso as to parallel the longitudinal axis of the key.

The key l2 has a vertical opening l6 therein approximately midwaybetween its ends. The opening IS in shape substantially conforms to theshape of the plate l3. However, the dimensions of the opening it aregreater than those of the plate in all respects. The opening it mergesinto a circular countersink I! in the key at the top, and said openingextends through the bottom of the key. A wooden apertured bushing 18 isplaced in the countersink IT. A felt bushing 19 is arranged in thecountersink over the bushing I B. An elongated metal plate or cleat 20is arranged longitudinally of the key l2 on the top thereof, and issecured in place by screws 2|. The cleat 20 has a central tapped hole 22therein which receives an adjusting screw 23. The head of the screw 23is above the cleat 20. The screw 23 has a rounded cavity 24 in its lowerend which bears on the bushing I9 which latter in turn bears on the balll5. Felt bushings 25 are secured to the key I2 and extend over theopposite sides of the opening 46. The bushings 25 lightly contact theopposite sides of the plate l3.

The key l2 having the parts mentioned above is arranged to receive theplate l3. The bushing l8 steadies the ball l5, and the felt bushing I9is interposed between the ball [5 and the screw 23 to reduce wear on theball and screw, and to eliminate noise, especially in glissando playing.The screw 23 serves for leveling the key as balanced or fulcrumed on theball IS. The bushings 25 help to steady the key, and since they bear onrelatively large surfaces, the bushings 25 will endure long wear.

The use of a thin metal element, such as the plate [3, makes itnecessary to remove only a minimum material from the key leaving the keystrong. The use of the metal cleat 20 which carries the leveling screw23 reinforces the key. The key may be manipulated easily withoutproducing any extraneous sounds.

It is to be understood that although the bushing I9 is interposedbetween the ball I5 and the screw 23, the lower end of the screw may besaid to bear on the ball 15 in construing the claims; and that minorchanges may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventionas defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a piano key having; an opening extendingtherethrough from top to. bottom, of a fixed plate projecting upwardlyinto! said opening, said plate having a ball at the top. thereof, and ascrew mounted on the key and having a lower concaved end bearing on saidball thereby fulcruming the key upon the ball.

2. The combination with a piano key having; an opening extendingupwardly from the bottom. of the key to the top of the key and providinga: countersink at the top of the key, of a fixed plate projectingupwardly into said opening, said plate having a ball at the top thereof,a wooden apertured bushing in said countersink to steady said ball, anda leveling screw mounted on said key and having its lower end bearing onsaid ball, thereby fulcruming said key upon the ball.

3. In a piano, the combination with a balance rail, of a triangularplate having a downwardly projecting pin tightly fitting in a hole insaid rail thereby securing the plate vertically disposed with the loweredge of the plate in contact with the rail, a key having an openingextending therethrough from top to bottom, said plate projecting intosaid opening, and coacting means on the plate and the key which fulcrumthe key upon the apex of the plate.

4. In a piano, the combination with a balance rail, of a triangularplate having a downwardly projecting pin tightly fitting in a hole insaid rail thereby securing the plate vertically disposed with the loweredge of the plate in contact with the rail, a key having an openingextending therethrough from top to bottom, said plate projecting intosaid opening, a ball on the apex of said plate, and a screw mounted onsaid key and having its lower end. bearing on said ball, therebyfulcruming the key upon the ball.

ALFRED H. HOWE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

